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Board decisions

"July" 2015

The 2015-16 RI Board held its first meeting 12-14 June 2015 in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

RI Administration

The Board:

Welcomed the 2015-16 appointments of Greg Podd as RI vice president, Per Høyen as treasurer, and Safak Alpay as Executive Committee chair

Adopted a set of four priorities with supporting goals for 2016-17, which were also adopted by The Rotary Foundation Trustees at their June meeting: (1) support and strengthen clubs, (2) focus and increase humanitarian service, (3) enhance public image and awareness, and (4) improve financial sustainability and operation effectiveness

Agreed that Zones 3, 7A, 12, 16B, 20A, 27, 32, and 34 will select committees in 2016-17 to nominate RI directors for election at the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

June 2015

The 2014-15 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting 29 May to 2 June 2015 in Guarujá, Brazil.

RI Administration and Finances

The Board:

Changed the procedures of the Nominating Committee for RI President to provide for in-person interviews of candidates

Designated conveners and sites for September RI director nominating committee meetings that will select directors for election at the 2016 Seoul convention; directors will be selected from Zones 1, 5A, 9, 14, 23A, 25, 28, and 31

Adopted the 2015-16 RI budget, reflecting revenues of $103,432,000, operating expenses of $103,663,600, a one-time pension termination expense of $5,200,000, netted with a pension valuation adjustment gain of $9,000,000, use of general surplus funds of $1,663,000, use of convention reserves of $102,000, resulting in an excess of revenues, general surplus funds, and convention reserve over expenditures of $5,333,400

RI Programs, Communications, and Meetings

The Board:

Extended eligibility for membership in a Rotary Fellowship to all participants and alumni of Rotary International and Foundation programs

Established procedures to allow districts outside of the US and Canada to change their prescribed regional magazine if the district thinks a different regional magazine better meets its needs;

Tentatively selected Hamburg, Germany, as the 2019 Rotary International convention site and Houston, Texas, USA, as the 2022 convention site; pending further review, the Board looked with favor on Taipei, Taiwan, as the 2021 convention site

January 2015

The third 2014–15 RI Board of Directors meeting was held 26–29 January 2015 in San Diego, California, USA. The Board reviewed nine committee reports and recorded 51 decisions. Here are highlights:

Clubs and Districts

The Board reorganized the following districts, effective 1 July 2017:

District 3460 (Taiwan) into Districts 3461 and 3462

District 3480 (Taiwan) into Districts 3481 and 3482

District 3500 (Taiwan) into Districts 3501 and 3502

District 3520 (Taiwan) into Districts 3521, 3522, and 3523

District 9140 (Nigeria) into Districts 9141 and 9142

Programs and Awards

The Board:

Agreed to establish in 2015–16 a new award, the Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity, to be given to non-Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service consistent with Rotary’s ideals

Recognized three new proposed Rotarian Action Groups:

Disaster Network of Assistance Rotarian Action Group

Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species

Rotarian Action Group—Preparing for Life

Agreed that simultaneous interpretation at the International Assembly plenary sessions and at the Council on Legislation will now include Chinese

Administration and Finances

The Board:

Elected Past Director Bryn Styles to fill the remainder of Monty J. Audenart’s term (through 30 June 2017) as a Rotary Foundation Trustee

Reaffirmed that the certification of polio eradication is the premier goal of Rotary International and its Foundation

October 2014

The second 2014–15 RI Board of Directors meeting was held on 27–30 October 2014 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. At this meeting, the Board reviewed 15 committee reports and recorded 82 decisions.

Club and District

In reviewing districting matters, the Board reorganized:

District 3010 (India) into new Districts 3011 and 3012, effective 1 July 2015

District 3140 (India) into new Districts 3141 and 3142, effective 1 July 2016

District 3180 (India) into new Districts 3181 and 3182, effective 1 July 2016

The Board also reassigned District 2060 (Italy) from Zone 19 to Zone 12, effective 1 July 2015.

Programs and Awards

The Board agreed to create a new member benefit program that will provide participating Rotarians with discounts or reward points on a variety of products and services. Initial research and development on the program will begin immediately, with a planned program launch in July 2015.

The Board modified Rotary's calendar of special observances to designate specific months highlighting the Areas of Focus. The new special observance months are:

September: Basic Education and Literacy

October: Economic and Community Development

December: Disease Prevention and Treatment

January: Vocational Service

February: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution

March: Water and Sanitation

April: Maternal and Child Health

May: Youth Services

To create a shared responsibility model for overseeing Rotary alumni, the Board added alumni to the list of primary responsibilities for the Rotary coordinators and Rotary public image coordinators. And to encourage more alumni to attend the international convention, the Board set a single registration fee for all non-Rotarian alumni—regardless of their year of service—that is the same as the registration fee for Rotaractors, beginning at the 2016 convention in Seoul, Korea.

The Board chose 145 recipients for the 2014–15 Service Above Self Award. The award recipients' names will be published on the RI website on 1 July 2015 and in The Rotarian August 2015 edition.

Administration and Finances

The Board elected Ron D. Burton, Örsçelik Balkan, Mario César de Camargo, and Thomas M. Thorfinnson to be trustees of The Rotary Foundation, beginning 1 July 2015.

The Board expanded the Innovation and Flexibility pilot program from 200 to 1,000 clubs.

Mandarin Chinese was added to the list of official languages in which Rotary provides translations of essential club and district information.

The Board approved a change in the "additional per capita dues," as provided for in the RI Bylaws, to pay for the projected expenses of the Council on Legislation from $1.00 to $1.50, effective 1 July 2015.

The Board accepted the audited financial statements and report on Rotary International's financial results for 2013–14. An annual report will be published in accordance with the RI Bylaws.

Administration and finances

The Board established the 2014-15 RI committees and approved their terms of reference. The Board agreed that Zones 1, 5A, 9, 14, 18A, 23A, 25, 28, and 31 shall select committees in 2014-15 to nominate RI directors for election at the 2016 RI Convention in Seoul, Korea.

The Board confirmed the 2014-15 RI budget. In accordance with RI Bylaws section 17.050.6. and by three-quarters vote of all directors, the Board authorized the use of $1,630,000 from the general surplus fund for operational and other strategic initiatives in 2014-15 as specifically approved by the Board.

The Board further approved The Rotary Foundation's 2014-15 programs budget of $89,023,000 for programs that are funded with unrestricted Annual Fund contributions.

Awards

The Board supported President Huang's plan to present the Rotary Award of Honor to Taiwanese Buddhist nun, teacher, and philanthropist Dharma Master Cheng Yen. The Award of Honor may be granted to deserving individuals including heads of state. Up to five awards may be granted each Rotary year by the president. In 1966 Cheng Yen founded the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation. The foundation's motto is Instructing the Rich and Saving the Poor. In more recent years the foundation has also become involved in international disaster relief, bone marrow donations, environmental protection, and community volunteering.

May 2014

The 2013–14 Rotary International Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting 26-30 May 2014 in Leura, Australia.

Club and district

The Board endorsed a new membership development business plan that identifies strategies for addressing key membership-related issues, including membership trends, the RI governance structure, regional membership plans, dues, and membership resources. The Board also agreed that the regional membership plans that it had approved in 2011 should be an ongoing effort and not expire on 30 June 2015 as originally approved.

The Board agreed to consider district governor allocation expenses at its annual January meeting to provide governors-elect sufficient advance notice of their allocation amounts.

In reviewing districting matters, the Board reorganized clubs in Districts 3051 and 3052 (India) into new District 3054, effective 1 July 2017; and Districts 4835 and 4865 (Argentina) into new District 4849, effective 1 July 2014. District 3720 (Korea) was reorganized into two new districts: 3721 and 3722, effective 1 July 2016.

Administration and finances

The Board agreed that all Council on Legislation representatives must complete mandatory online Council training before attending the Council, and further agreed that RI will not fund the travel expenses of those representatives who have not completed the training.

The Board amended its policy on what constitutes "failure to function" status for a Rotary club to include clubs that maintain in their membership any Rotarian who initiates or maintains litigation against RI before any of the club's members have exhausted remedies provided for in RI's constitutional documents.

The Board authorized the president to designate conveners and meeting places for RI director nominating committees that will meet in September 2014 to select directors-nominee for election at the 2015 RI (São Paulo) Convention. Directors will be selected from Zones 2, 8, 11, 15, 19, 21A, 24, and 33.

The Board agreed that the ability of the Nominating Committee for RI President to select the best qualified Rotarian would be enhanced by interviews with the candidates and therefore, requested the 2014 committee to conduct interviews via videoconferencing with each candidate.

The Board adopted the 2014-15 RI budget, reflecting revenues of $97,353,000, use of general surplus funds of $3,388,000, use of convention reserves of $557,000, and expenses of $100,928,000, resulting in an excess of revenues, general surplus funds, and convention reserve over expenditures of $370,000.

Programs, communications, and meetings

The Board expanded membership eligibility in Rotarian Action Groups to include all participants and alumni of RI and Foundation programs.

In support of the 2013-18 Polio Eradication Endgame Strategic Plan, the Board, in accordance with the RI Bylaws and by a three-quarters vote of all directors, approved use of $3.09 million from the general surplus fund to sustain comprehensive end-of-polio communications activities from 1 July 2014 through 30 June 2016.

The Board amended its policy regarding Friendship Exchanges to emphasize flexibility. The Board agreed that these exchanges provide participating Rotarians and their families the opportunity to host and visit one another internationally (funded individually), with the goal of facilitating new connections and friendships and, when possible, to build a foundation for collaborative service projects.

Noting unforeseen circumstances and the rising costs for RI to participate at Expo Milano 2015, the Board agreed to cease funding for Rotary International's participation at this world exposition.

January 2014

The third meeting of the 2013–14 RI Board of Directors was held on 20–23 January 2014 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. At this meeting, the Board reviewed 8 committee reports and recorded 35 decisions.

Club and district

The Board reorganized clubs in District 2230 (Belarus, Poland, Ukraine) into two districts, effective 1 July 2016, with new District 2231 comprising the national boundaries of Poland and District 2232 comprising the national boundaries of Belarus and Ukraine. The Board also reorganized clubs in Mexico, consolidating Districts 4180, 4190, and 4200 into two new districts: 4185 and 4195.

In an effort to improve the timeliness and quality of membership data, the Board made changes to policy regarding how clubs report this information, including requiring that clubs must report their new and terminated members within 30 days and by establishing that the club secretary is responsible for timely membership reporting to RI, effective 1 January 2015. These changes will further enable RI to simplify how it bills clubs for their per capita dues.

Programs

The Board agreed to revise the annual Rotary coordinator and Rotary public image coordinator training, beginning in 2014–15, to include only the new appointees, rather than the full team of coordinators.

International Meetings

The Board agreed to offer a worldwide rebate to those districts that reach a registration number for the São Paulo convention (registrants to be Rotarians and guests at 19 or older) before 31 March 2015 that exceeds 10 percent of the Rotarians in their respective districts, based on the 1 July 2014 semiannual report; with such rebate to be up to 10 percent of the districts collective registration fees payable to the district after the convention.

Administration and finances

Noting the opportunity to promote the work of RI at a world's exhibition, the Board affirmed its support of RI's participation at Expo Milano 2015.

The Board amended its recommended protocol for introducing, presenting, and seating all current past, and future officers of RI and its Foundation, committee members, and their spouses at all RI meetings, function, and receiving lines, and for listing in all RI publications to be as follows:

October 2013

The second meeting of the 2013–14 RI Board of Directors was held on 28–31 October 2013 in Evanston, Illinois, USA. At this meeting, the Board reviewed 12 committee reports and recorded 52 decisions.

Club and district

Aside from districting changes made at this meeting, the Board confirmed that all other districting changes the Board made before the 2013 Council on Legislation are still in effect and advised that any district wishing to rescind previous Board decisions on this topic, must petition the Board via the Districting Committee.

In reviewing current membership trends, the Board agreed that membership is RI's second highest priority, behind polio eradication. The Board also added "membership development" to the suggested International Assembly program content list, beginning at the 2015 assembly. The membership pilot programs: Associate Membership, Corporate Membership, Innovation and Flexible Clubs, and Satellite Club Membership were extended for a second three-year pilot term, to conclude on 30 June 2017.

Noting that funding for district governors is one of the largest expenses for Rotary International and that resources are not sufficient to cover all of a district governor's expenses, the Board simplified the funding policy to make it easier to understand and to provide governors with more flexibility in how they use the funds available to them. The reporting process has also been simplified to make it easier for governors to account for their funding and receive final payment.

Programs and awards

The Board received a report on the status of global polio eradication efforts from Dr. Hamid Jafari, director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the World Health Organization.

In reviewing New Generations matters, the Board agreed to encourage clubs to recruit more young professionals and Rotary Foundation and New Generations program alumni into their membership, and further encouraged new clubs to focus on recruiting New Generations participants.

The Board chose 125 recipients for the 2013–14 Service Above Self Award. The award recipients' names will be published on the RI website on 1 July 2014 and in the August 2014 edition of The Rotarian.

"July" 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

The 2012–13 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting on 17–21 June 2013 in Cascais, Portugal. The Board also held a brief meeting in April just before the Council on Legislation. The 2013–14 RI Board held its first meeting on 28 June 2013 in Lisbon, Portugal. At these meetings the Board reviewed reports from 13 committees and recorded 93 decisions.

Administration and finances

On President Burton’s recommendation, the Board established the 2013–14 RI committees and approved their terms of reference. The Board agreed that Zones 2, 8, 11, 15, 19, 21A, 24, and 33 shall select committees in 2013–14 to nominate RI directors for election at the 2015 RI convention in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Board confirmed the 2013–14 RI budget with revenues of US$98,797,000, the use of $9,585,000 in general surplus funds, $301,000 in convention reserves, and $108,647,000 in expenses, resulting in an excess of revenues, general surplus funds and convention reserve over expenditures of $36,000. It further approved The Rotary Foundation’s 2013–14 budget of $90,513,000 for Foundation programs that are funded with unrestricted Annual Programs Fund contributions.

June 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

The 2012–13 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting on 17–21 June 2013 in Cascais, Portugal. The Board also held a brief meeting in April just before the Council on Legislation.

Club and district

The Board increased RI extension into China by placing Guangdong Province into District 3450. The Board reorganized clubs in District 2980 (India) into new Districts 2981 and 2982, effective 1 July 2015.

Noting that the 2013 Council did not adopt legislation to allow flexibility in meeting frequency, which effectively ended the Meeting Frequency pilot project, the Board approved the establishment of a transition plan for those clubs in the pilot to return to the standard club model.

Administration and finances

The Board adopted the 2013–14 RI budget, reflecting revenues of US$98,797,000, the use of $9,585,000 in general surplus funds, $301,000 in convention reserves, and $108,647,000 in expenses, resulting in an excess of revenues, general surplus funds, and convention reserve over expenditures of $36,000. As approved by the RI Bylaws and by a three-quarters vote of all directors, the Board also approved an additional $2 million in unallocated general surplus funds for operational and other strategic initiatives in 2013–14.

The Board approved a 2012–13 budget variance of US$3 million for program award expenditures from unrestricted contributions in the Annual Fund (WF) for 2012–13 matching grants, contingent upon approval by the Trustees. The Trustees approved this variance at their June meeting.

The Board designated conveners and meeting places for RI director nominating committees that will meet in September 2013 to select directors-nominee for election at the 2014 RI (Sydney) Convention. Directors will be selected from Zones 4, 6B, 10B, 13, 22, 26, 29, and 30.

RI Programs, Communications, and Meetings

The Board amended New Generations Service Exchange policy by increasing the eligible age of participants from 21 to 30, and by setting the minimum age to the age of majority in the host country, but not younger than 18.

The Board agreed to enter into a service partnership, as a two-year pilot initiative, with the Thunderbird School of Global Management, located in Glendale, Arizona, USA.

January 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

The third meeting of the 2012–13 RI Board of Directors was held on 20–23 January 2013 in La Jolla, California, USA. At this meeting the Board reviewed 8 committee reports and recorded 53 decisions.

Club and District Matters

The Board considered numerous districting issues and agreed that four districts in Argentina will be consolidated into two districts effective 1 July 2014; and, effective 1 July 2015, six districts in England will be consolidated into three districts, and one district in Denmark/Lithuania will split into two new districts. Other districts that are under the minimum membership requirements will be asked to provide and update and plan for membership growth to the Board at its June 2013 meeting.

Programs, Communications, and Awards

Noting the opportunity to promote the work of RI at a world’s exhibition, the Board authorized the general secretary to finalize an agreement with Expo Milano for RI’s participation in the 2015 world’s exhibition in Milan, Italy.

The Board approved development of a new member sponsor recognition pin that will be distributed to sponsors from RI Headquarters. This new recognition pin replaces the current “Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One” recognition pin program.

The Board recognized the Rotarian Action Group Against Child Slavery and the Rotarians for Hearing Rotarian Action Group.

International Meetings

The Board approved an International RYLA to meet on 26–29 May 2014 in conjunction with the Sydney convention.

Administration and Finances

Recognizing that polio eradication is RI’s top priority, the Board authorized a 2013–14 expenditure of US$5 million from general surplus funds to The Rotary Foundation for polio eradication efforts.

October 2012 Board Meeting Highlights

The second meeting of the 2012-13 RI Board of Directors was held on 29 October – 1 November 2012, in Evanston, Illinois, USA. At this meeting the Board reviewed 20 committee reports and recorded 103 decisions.

Club and District Matters

The new minimum number of charter members required for a new club shall be 20 unless there are special and sufficient reasons for the Board to waive this requirement. Previously, the minimum number of charter members was set at 25.

The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee (RRPFC), which builds a display float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, USA, was given permission to contact district governors in the United States and Canada to solicit donations and other support for the project. The Board encourages Rotarians in charge of district conferences, PETS, and Rotary institutes to consider allowing the RRPFC to display promotional materials at those meetings.

Programs, Communications, and Awards

The Board renewed Rotary’s service partnership with Goodwill Industries International for one more year, and renewed relationships with the International Reading Association, the Global FoodBanking Network, and Youth Service America as service partners for three additional years.

The Board approved a transition plan for New Generations Exchanges to become New Generations Service Exchanges, effective 1 July 2013, to align the program with the Fifth Avenue of Service. The general secretary will develop resources for New Generations Service chairs to facilitate these exchanges and promote the opportunity to the general public as well as to the district Rotaract, RYLA, Rotary Friendship Exchange, International Service, Vocational Service, and Community Service chairs.

To promote vocational service, incoming district governors will now receive the Vocational Service Update newsletter and the Rotary Code of Conduct . Clubs are asked to share the Code of Conduct at new member orientation and share examples of replicable vocational service projects through Rotary Showcase.

One hundred forty-three recipients of the 2012-13 RI Service Above Self Award were chosen by the Board. Names of recipients will be published on 1 July 2013, or after presentations of the awards have been made.

Noting that RI’s liaisons with the United Nations and other organizations are a vital part of Rotary’s public relations outreach, and provide increased recognition to Rotary as a distinguished, effective organization working toward common humanitarian goals, the Board expanded RI’s liaisons with the United Nations to include the European Union, League of Arab States, Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

The Board provided US$50,000 to the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation for maintenance and to develop a detailed business plan to restore Comely Bank—the Chicago home of Paul and Jean Harris. Upon approval of the business plan, RI may enter into a loan agreement with the Paul and Jean Harris Foundation for the interior reconstruction of Comely Bank.

International Meetings

The Board accepted the proposal from Districts 9680, 9690, and 9750 to host the 2014 RI Convention on 1-4 June 2014 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It also agreed to hold the 2016 RI Convention in Seoul, South Korea, with the KINTEX exhibition and convention center as the primary venue. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA was tentatively selected as the site for the 2020 RI Convention.

Administration and Finance

The Board elected Monty J. Audenart, Noel A. Bajat, and Kalyan Banerjee to be trustees of The Rotary Foundation to serve four-year terms beginning 1 July 2013.

Key organizational initiatives for 2012-13 include improving the functionality of the rotary.org website, ensuring a successful global launch of Future Vision, executing measures recommended by the Committee to Strengthen Rotary’s Brand as approved by the Board and Trustees, implementing the Secretariat reorganization plan, and implementing the fundraising plan approved by the Trustees.

The Board considered 18 Council on Legislation resolutions that had been withdrawn from the Council and sent directly to the Board for reply. Three were referred to the Foundation Trustees for further consideration, and two were referred to committee.

The Board noted that a total of US$228,698,000 was received from districts, clubs, alumni, Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Fellowships, and individual Rotarians to End Polio Now, and thanked Past Trustee John Germ for his outstanding leadership in surpassing the goal of Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

The Board accepted the audited financial statements and report on Rotary International’s financial results for 2011-12. An annual report will be published in accordance with the RI bylaws.

“July” 2012 Board Meeting Highlights

The 2011–12 RI Board of Directors held its fourth and final meeting on 11–16 May 2012 in Pattaya, Thailand. The 2012–13 RI Board held its first meeting on 17 May 2012 in Pattaya, Thailand. At these meetings the Board reviewed reports from 13 committees and recorded 94 decisions.

RI Administration and Finances

The Board welcomed the appointment of Kenneth M. Schuppert as 2012–13 RI vice president, Elizabeth S. Demaray as 2012–13 treasurer, and elected Yash Pal Das as its executive committee chairman.

Following the resignation of Trustee Anne L. Matthews, the Board elected Stephanie Urchick to fulfill the remainder of Anne Mathews’ term as a Foundation trustee.

The Board established the following goals for 2012–13:

Support the eradication of polio and promote humanitarian service in the six areas of focus;

Advance peace through service;

Strengthen Rotary clubs and membership;

Enhance Rotary’s public image;

Address regional issues and concerns as needed.

On President Tanaka’s recommendation, the Board established the 2012–13 RI committees and approved their terms of reference. The Board agreed that Zones 4, 6B, 10B, 13, 17, 22, 26, 29, and 30 shall select committees in 2012–13 to nominate RI directors for election at the 2014 RI convention in Sydney, Australia.

The Board confirmed the 2012–13 RI budget with revenues of US$95,511,000, the use of up to $12,110,000 from the general surplus fund, $583,000 from the convention reserve fund, and expenses of $106,522,000, resulting in an excess of approved funds over expenditures of $1,682,000. It further approved The Rotary Foundation’s 2012–13 budget of $80,572,000 for Foundation programs that are funded with unrestricted Annual Programs Fund contributions.